Kawaii-Cherri: Quite often I do attempt to not completely demonise established characters but in the current chapter I'm writing… whoo-ee… Demetrius is not coming off well. In fact, he's a bastard. Abigail does not improve either. Also, Elsie is the cutest name ever and I love it, and if you like flirty Seb… the fic will get better as there are moments that made me blush.
Chapter seven: One step forward.
Elspeth had made the decision not to mention the second sighting of the fish with Demetrius. She had seen him a couple of times over the week in passing, and he had asked her if she had encountered it again. Lying wasn't a strong suit of Elspeth's but she managed to pull it off. The ocean swim where she had spotted it had replayed mentally in the form of nightmares and even woken her up a few times. All she could think about was the way it contorted and the flash of its reflective eyes. The way it stared at her, cold and dead. Unblinking.
In order not to dwell on the incident, Elspeth had thrown herself into her farm work. Acclimatising herself to her chickens and ducks were a priority, she was tired of having a mini heart attack every time she opened the hutches. To attempt this, she took to sitting in their pasture and watching them feed and scratch at the grass; occasionally one of them would hop onto her knee or on top of her head and she would freeze in fear and have to remind herself to breathe.
She was doing exactly that when her phone went off. There was a chicken balancing on her head, pulling at her hair but she had braided it tightly to lessen tangles. 'O-okay, Jemima,' she stuttered to the bird on her head, 'you gotta move.' Elspeth raised her hand to encourage the chicken to hop down and flinched as Jemima harmlessly pecked at her fingers in response. 'Come on, little chicky,' Elspeth said as she waved her hand to create an air current and hopefully disturb Jemima from where she seemed to have happily settled. It didn't work and in the end Elspeth had to simply grab the chicken and lift it up. 'Aaaaahhhh,' she said in a squeaky, stifled scream as Jemima flapped in her hands. With little grace, Elspeth simply dropped her chicken a couple of inches off the ground and stood up so that it couldn't reoccur.
Pulling out her phone, she checked the notification she had received. 'Oh, it's Haley,' she said to herself as she wandered out from the pasture, making sure to lock the gate behind her. Instead of texting back, she simply rang her. 'What's up, chicken butt?' Elspeth said as Hayley picked up the call.
'I thought my message would have said it all,' Hayley replied, dryly. 'You're coming to the Stardrop with me tonight. I'm meeting Alex. I need you to be there as like, emotional backup,' she said.
'Really? You can't meet a boy on your own?' Elspeth snorted as she walked up the dirt path towards her house. The weather was a little brisk and it was midday, not the worst for middle of spring. Buddy followed next to her; he had been lying outside the enclosure, he tended to spook the birds if he was inside the pasture. 'Why do you need me there?' She asked. It wasn't that she minded but she didn't want to be an obvious third wheel.
Hayley huffed down the line. 'Isn't it obvious? I need you to be there and like, boost my confidence,' she said simply.
Elspeth rolled her eyes and opened her front door, letting Buddy walk in first before following. 'Hayley. You're the most beautiful woman in this town. You know that if you flutter your eyelashes at Alex, he'll come running. Drooling as well,' she said. Opening the freezer drawer at the bottom of her fridge, she fished out a frozen chicken breast and held her phone between her ear and shoulder as she commanded Buddy to sit with a hand signal. He plonked on the floor almost instantly and Elspeth gave it to him, praising him for taking it gently from her fingers. She knew there was no point even having a playful argument with Hayley, she was going to end up at the Saloon. I don't really mind, it gives me something to do on a Friday night, Elspeth thought to herself as she watched Buddy wander to his doggy bed and flop down to enjoy his chicken.
'You're not wrong,' Hayley said with a giggle. 'Oh… did I not mention?' Hayley added, slyly. 'Sebastian is going to be there,' she said, as if it was inconsequential information. 'Thought we might be able to wrangle this into some sort of double date. I mean, he goes there every Friday with Sam and Abigail. I'm sure they won't mind if you steal his attention for a couple hours.'
'Do not attempt any matchmaking schemes,' Elspeth said bluntly. 'I'm trying to make friends with him, that's all.'
'Oh sure, friends. Yeah. Right,' Hayley replied not convinced. 'Not that he stares at you or anything-'
Elspeth hadn't told any of her girlfriends about the phone call she had shared with Sebastian earlier in the week and she certainly wasn't going to do so now; she was not going to throw fuel on that fire. Elspeth interrupted Hayley, desperate to change the subject. 'How are your parents? Have you heard from them recently?' She said as she checked her oven clock. Hayley's text had mentioned a time and so she had a few of hours before heading the to the Saloon.
'Oh! Yeah, we just received a letter, they've just left the Fern Islands. They were there for two months,' she chatted. 'It sounds like they really enjoyed themselves. I've put it on my manifestation mood board for a place to visit.'
'You need to show me next time I come over. I bet you've added loads since I last since I last visited,' Elspeth said as she wandered into her bedroom and began to idly tidy things up. She balanced her phone once more between her head and shoulder as she yanked at her bed spread and flattened her pillow. Hayley chatted her ear off about her clothing design concepts that she had created to go with locations that she had planned photoshoots for. Photography and fashion were Hayley's passions and something she studied to improve.
The conversation carried on for another half hour, 'I need to perfect my outfit for tonight. Wear something sweet. I mean, I'm not getting dressed up, up,' Hayley said. 'Perhaps you should wear that really cute, cropped, green jumper that you have. Green really suits you.'
'Are you wearing heels?' Elspeth asked.
'Yeah, like a small heel. A casual heel,' Hayley replied. 'Why?'
'Not dressed up, my ass,' Elspeth snorted in amusement. Hayley swore playfully at Elspeth and ended the call, stating that she needed to curl her hair. Elspeth chucked her phone onto the bed and stretched catching sight of herself in the mirror that was on her wardrobe. There were literal feathers in her hair. 'I need a shower,' she said to herself, she caught a whiff of her hoodie and the smell of farm was all over. 'And definitely a change of clothes,' she muttered.
Elspeth tended to the rest of her farm chores and made sure to put her animals away before she locked up for the night. It took longer to herd the ducks in than she wanted but her birds didn't seem to care that she needed to get ready to go out. Her red-light generators (invisible to the human eye, they deterred the monsters that liked to roam after dark) kept her barns and hutches safe after sunset but she didn't like the idea of leaving her animals out all night, even if it was warm enough. Thankfully, it didn't take her long to shower and get dressed. Elspeth took Hayley's advice and pulled the green jumper out her wardrobe. She matched it with a pair of high waisted, pale blue jeans and a pair of rainbow, butterfly patterned 'Chucks'; they were a throwback from before she moved and she hadn't had a chance to wear them since. Grabbing a random satchel, she popped her keys and phone inside. It was just after half six and almost time to leave.
Buddy whined at her as she grabbed the handle to the front door. He lifted his head from where he had been lying on his bed. Elspeth smiled at him, 'wanna come with me?' She asks, making his ears perk up. 'Come on. You've got to be on your best behaviour though,' Elspeth warned. Buddy gave a soft woof in reply and hopped up onto his feet. She opened the door and told him to follow, he sniffed happily and trotted next to her as they made their way to the Saloon. It wouldn't be the first time that Elspeth had taken Buddy to the Stardrop; Gus was fond of him and he always ended up getting spoiled rotten with attention.
The town was quiet and there was a nice chill in the air, Buddy wandered to sniff a couple trees but loped back to her side when she got too far away. Elspeth pushed open the door to the Saloon and was greeted by Gus and Emily from behind the bar. Emily's face lit up as she saw Buddy. 'It's my puppy!' She squealed in joy and ran out from behind the bar to give him scratches.
Elspeth looked at Gus who wore a smile of endearment. 'Is it okay if Buddy joins me tonight? I promise he'll be good,' she asked, fully ready to take him home if it was an issue.
Gus waved the bar-rag at her in dismissal. 'It's fine, I know he's a well-trained boy,' he said with a chuckle as he watched Emily smother the lurcher's face with kisses. Elspeth grinned in reply and thanked him as she walked in properly and looked around for Hayley. She knew that Buddy would make the rounds and see what attention he could get from everyone before finding her and settling. Elspeth finally spotted Hayley in the room to the right that had some arcade style machines and the pool table inside.
There seemed to be a group of people chatting and drinking and as Elspeth got closer, she caught sight of a familiar profile at the pool table. Sebastian. He was wearing a long sleeve t-shirt, jeans, gloves, and boots; his attire was simple but well fitted. Mentally, Elspeth groaned. She swore that he somehow became more attractive to her every time she spotted him. How? How does he do it? I've always been attracted to him but this is stupid, she thought as she walked forward towards the group. Hayley was sitting next to Alex on the sofa, Abigail and Sam were chatting while waiting for Sebastian to take his shot at the table.
Sebastian leaned over just as Elspeth entered the room and presented her with a full view of his backside. Elspeth felt her cheeks go pink as she caught sight of him and tried not to mentally imagine anything lewd. Hayley came to her rescue as she called Elspeth over and stood up to give her a hug. 'Hey! You made it!' Hayley said with a beaming smile.
'You look great!' Elspeth said as she returned the hug and then looked her friend over. Hayley was wearing a cute ruffled skirt with a strappy top in a complimenting colour, her heels were on the smaller side and Elspeth was instantly jealous. 'I wish I could wear what you do,' she said honestly. 'Let me know if you want some pictures taken for your insta,' Elspeth said as the idea hit her.
Hayley clapped her hands and nodded, 'that sounds amazing. Oooh! Maybe we could have a couple where Alex lifts me up?' She suggests as she looks at Alex with a smile and flutter of her lashes.
'Huh, what?' Alex said as he realised he was asked a question. He had been watching Sam and Sebastian play pool and sipping on a beer. Hayley repeated herself and he grinned like a schoolboy, 'yeah, sure. Sounds fun,' he nods. Hayley clapped her hands excitedly and sat down on his lap, giving him a playful kiss on the cheek.
Elspeth smiles at them, feeling a little envious but brushes it aside. 'I'm gonna get a drink. Buddy is here, don't let him on the furniture,' she said with a pointed look. As she left the couple on the sofa, she waved a hello at Sam and Abigail as they greeted her. Sebastian had finally finished his shot and stood up just as she passed him. Her perfume caught him like a fish on a hook and he felt his breath catch in his throat.
'My turn,' Sam said with a grin as he positioned himself at the table and looked at the balls with a practised eye.
Sebastian looked over to where Elspeth was making her way to the bar, 'hey, Abi. Take my next go will you?' He asks as he holds out the pool cue. 'I'll be back in a moment,' he said as she took it from him. Abigail tilted her head and glanced around him to see what he was looked at; turned out it was who he was looking at. Elspeth. Abigail peeked up at Sebastian, noting his expression and felt the cold grasp of jealously grow around her stomach.
The bar was busy but Elspeth didn't mind waiting, there was no rush. It looked like it was going to be an enjoyable evening. She didn't mean to ignore Sebastian; he had just been engrossed in taking his turn and she didn't want to disturb his concentration. There was music playing and despite it being popular ten years prior, Elspeth enjoyed the nostalgia and hummed along. Sebastian realised that he had impulsively made the decision to talk to her without actually having the courage to back it up. Well, he was committed now and he couldn't just turn around and walk away.
Trying not to get close to anyone, Sebastian stepped up to the bar next to Elspeth. She turned to face him with a smile and it caused a smile of his own to break free. 'Hey, you,' Elspeth said, her voice carrying a lilt from where she had been humming.
He cleared his throat and nodded, 'hey… Elspeth,' he replied.
'Fancy seeing you here. It's so public,' she teases lightly as she leans on the bar, sitting on a stool. Elspeth was short enough so that her legs dangled and she idly swung them out of habit. 'There's bright light and music that doesn't sound like it has rocks in it.'
Sebastian laughs lightly at her teasing and rolls his eyes. He leans on the bar with his forearms and tilts his body towards her as he lowered his voice. 'Don't tell anyone… but I actually don't mind this music,' he whispered. He habitually pulled down his sleeves and fiddled with his gloves so that they covered his skin entirely, it was something he did frequently without thinking. His hair fell forward and Elspeth spotted his ear piercings and the chain that linked them.
'The horror!' Elspeth whispered back to him, leaning forward like he did. Sebastian smiled a little as they stared at one another before he jolted back, straightening up. Elspeth's smile dwindled a little. 'I'm sorry… was I too close?' She asked, quietly. Buddy shoved his head onto Elspeth's lap and huffed until she gave him a scratch.
He felt horrible for causing the regret in Elspeth's expression. Raising his hand, he brushed his hair back, 'no… sorry. It's just… a habit,' he admitted. 'Please, don't take it personally,' he added. He could tell that her next smile was forced but he appreciated the effort. Emily swung past and skidded to a stop.
'Elspeeeeth!' She said in a happy, elongated drawl. 'What can I get ya? Seb, the usual?' Emily asks as she steps forward to let Gus pass behind her. Buddy yanked his head away as he saw that Gus was carrying dirty plates and quickly followed him to the kitchen entrance in hope of scraps.
Elspeth contemplated her choices for a moment and then looked at Sebastian. 'What do you usually have?'
He raised a brow but nodded, 'a bottled cider if I'm drinking publicly. At home, whisky or some other type of spirit,' he said simply.
'Sounds good, I'll have a cider too,' Elspeth said with a smile and reached for her purse.
Sebastian gently placed his fingers on her arm, stopping her from pulling out money and causing her to look up at him with a questioning expression mixed with surprise that he was touching her. He only rested his hand on hers for a few seconds before moving. 'Let me,' he said simply and pulled out his phone to do a contactless payment.
Elspeth smiles at him and nods, 'okay, sure. Thanks,' she said feeling her heart skip. 'Next one is mine, though,' she adds making him smirk at her, playfully.
Please, review if you're enjoying it.
Be well. Stay safe.